Three dogs were shot and killed by a 13-year-old boy in early November, and state and local agencies are investigating whether criminal charges may be filed against the boy and his father.
The dogs, all beagles, were named Otis, Peaches and Lil Bit, according to an email Patch received from Dan Rollet, who said he found the dead animals on property off East Street South on Nov. 10.
"The dog owners are looking to pursue charges, and I have to see what's applicable and what's going to fit," Lt. Rick Brown told the Hartford Courant.
Police Chief Michael Manzi said the dogs' owners are "decent guys who come in and hunt rabbits and pheasant, and they always get permission to hunt and bring their five dogs."
Manzi said the dogs were reportedly chasing deer which were being hunted by the unnamed man and his son, and the boy shot and killed the dogs.
The dogs' owners, Richard Johnson and his son, Ray Shelton, called police after Rollet discovered the dead bodies.
Manzi said the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection "is taking the lead on the investigation," with help from Suffield police.